04 Feb 26

Getting to and from your Dolomites trek

Amanda Thompson European Alps Italy

You have decided to head to the magnificent Dolomites, an inspired choice. Rising dramatically from northern Italy, this UNESCO World Heritage listed mountain range is famed for its pale limestone towers, sweeping alpine meadows and some of Europe’s most iconic walking trails.

A unique feature of the Dolomites is enrosadira, the natural phenomenon where the mountains glow pink and gold at sunrise and sunset. It is a daily reminder that this is a truly special place to walk.

Spanning close to 16,000 square kilometres and stretching across several Italian regions, the Dolomites offer multiple arrival and departure options. This guide focuses on travelling to Calalzo di Cadore, where many treks begin, and departing from Bolzano, the finish point for the Dolomites Traverse.

Travel logistics in this region can feel more complex than the walking itself. With a little forward planning, however, it is very manageable. The aim of this guide is to give you clear, reliable options so you can travel with confidence and focus on the adventure ahead.

Key airports for the Dolomites

Main arrival airports

  • Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) – the most popular and convenient option
  • Venice Treviso Airport (TSF) – smaller airport with many low cost European flights

Other good options

  • Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) – major international hub, further away
  • Verona Airport (VRN) – excellent onward rail connections
  • Innsbruck Airport (INN) – particularly useful when departing from Bolzano

RAW Travel tip
If flight prices into Venice are high, checking Milan or Verona can sometimes save money. Just allow extra travel time.

Flying into Venice Marco Polo (VCE)

Most RAW Travellers fly into Venice Marco Polo. From Australia, total travel time is usually around 23 hours with one stopover, depending on airline and routing.

If time allows, we strongly recommend staying a night or two in Venice. Wandering quiet laneways, crossing tiny bridges and enjoying cicchetti in a neighbourhood bar is a wonderful way to ease into Italy before heading for the mountains.

From Venice, Calalzo di Cadore can be reached by train or bus.

Travelling from Venice to Calalzo di Cadore

By train
Trains depart from Venice Santa Lucia or Venice Mestre stations. The journey takes approximately three hours and usually involves a change at Ponte nelle Alpi. Occasionally a change at Treviso is also required.

By bus
Long distance coaches run from Venice Piazzale Roma, Venice Mestre and sometimes directly from the airport. You will usually disembark at Tai di Cadore, around six kilometres from Calalzo, then transfer to a short local bus connection.

Coach services include:

  • Cortina Express
  • ATVO
  • Dolomiti Bus

Please note that summer timetables are often not released until June, so it is normal for services not to appear online earlier in the year.

Other arrival options and travel information

Flights into Milan or Verona are also excellent alternatives and connect well into the Dolomites by rail. Venice is also well served by international trains from Munich, Vienna and Paris.

Train travel in Italy is comfortable, reliable and scenic, offering a gradual transition from cities and vineyards to alpine landscapes. For route planning and bookings, we recommend:

  • Trenitalia
  • Rail Europe
  • ItaliaRail

Approximate train times to Venice

  • Verona Airport to Venice: 1 hr 15 to 1 hr 30
  • Milan Malpensa to Venice: 3 hr 30 to 4 hr total
  • Rome to Venice: around 4 hours
  • Florence to Venice: around 2 hr 15

Bus travel
Bus services are well organised throughout Italy, however train stations are usually more central and convenient. If you prefer bus travel, FlixBus is a useful planning tool.

Departing from Bolzano

If you are walking the Dolomites Traverse, your trek will finish in Bolzano, also known as Bozen. This lively alpine city blends Italian and Austrian culture and is well worth an extra night if time allows.

Many travellers enjoy exploring the historic old town, sampling South Tyrolean cuisine or visiting the Ötzi the Iceman Museum.

Approximate train times from Bolzano

  • Bolzano to Venice: 3 to 3.5 hours
  • Bolzano to Verona: 1.5 to 2 hours
  • Bolzano to Milan: around 3 hours with one change
  • Bolzano to Innsbruck: around 2 hours, then a short bus connection to the airport
Choose a guided Dolomites trek with RAW Travel

RAW Travel is Australia’s leading guided walking specialist, and the Dolomites are one of our most loved alpine destinations. We operate fully guided Dolomites treks, designed for walkers who want to immerse themselves in this extraordinary mountain landscape while enjoying expert leadership and seamless logistics.

Our itineraries showcase the very best of the region, from dramatic limestone towers and classic high passes to flower filled meadows and welcoming mountain rifugios. Walking with a RAW Travel guide means accommodation, meals, route finding and daily planning are all taken care of.

Our Dolomites treks are graded as challenging, with carefully paced days and plenty of time to appreciate the scenery, culture and shared sense of achievement that makes this region so special.

If you would like help choosing the right guided Dolomites trek, or have questions about travel, timing or fitness levels, our team would love to help.

Get in touch with RAW Travel and start planning your Dolomites walking adventure.

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